Iran has quickly become one of the most incredible places I have ever visited, and over the past few months I have been posting quite a lot about this incredible and underrated country.
The response I have had to these posts has been overwhelmingly positive, and it seems that I have caused Iran to be added to quite a few bucket lists!
So, to end the Iran Series (for now at least) here is my final attempt to get you to add Iran to your travel wish list! These are my 25 favourite pictures from my travels in Iran, and I hope that you find them as inspiring as I did when I captured them.
As always, thank you for letting me bring you along with me on my adventures!
1. Shah Cheragh Shrine, Shiraz
I snapped this shot of a woman just a few seconds after entering the shrine. I remember thinking it looked like a shot from a Persian film. This woman moved on only moments later and I remember giving myself a mental high five for always having my camera out and ready!
2. Shah Cheragh Shrine, Shiraz
The attention to detail on the mosaics at most shrines and mosques in Iran is undeniably impressive, and there isn’t a much better example of such intricate and skilled craftsmanship than at the Shah Cheragh Shrine.
3. Necropolis, Shiraz Province
I absolutely adored the Necropolis! These tombs carved into the side of mountainous rocks may be simple, but that by no means makes them less magical.
4. Persepolis, Shiraz Province
Like the Necropolis, but on steroids! If you are looking to explore ancient ruins, head to Persepolis and prepare to be amazed.
5. Nasir-ol-Molk, Shiraz
I still have dreams about the Pink Mosque! Nasir-ol-Molk was the whole reason I wanted to visit Iran, and it certainly did not disappoint.
6. Nasir-ol-Molk, Shiraz
Though the Pink Mosque is famous for being beautiful on the inside, it is pretty stunning on the outside too.
7. Hazira Mosque, Yazd
Credit for this next photograph goes to my friend Hayden from backpackertrack.com – I love how small I look next to the enormous stained glass windows!
8. Towers of Silence, Yazd
These Zoroastrian ‘Towers of Silence‘ were once an important part of the Zoroastrian burial process – and they look bloody incredible at sunset.
9. Towers of Silence, Yazd
Sitting just below the Towers of Silence are a whole stack of abandoned structures that give off massive Star Wars Episode IV vibes.
10. Spices in a small store, Yazd
I still have no idea how and why these spices are stacked like this, but holy moly, I am glad I spotted them sitting unassumingly in a small store!
11. Kharanaq, Yazd Province
I love the ragged mountains in the backdrop of this shot – especially how the highest point of said mountains is just slightly left of centre.
12. Somewhere between Kharanaq and Chak Chak, Yazd Province
This deserted road was surrounded by stark desert and stunning mountains – what could be better?
13. Kharanaq, Yazd Province
Another shot from Kharanaq – the blue domed mosque is the star of this shot.
14. Chak Chak, Yazd Province
Iran may be a dry and stark country, but that is the beauty of it! I love the way the road weaves through the emptiness in this next shot taken from Chak Chak.
15. Meybod, Yazd Province
Can you believe that this is made out of mud brick?!
16. Water Tower, Yazd Province
This water tower popped up when I least expected it, and the simple but mesmerising symmetry was enough to make me crane my neck and point my lens for ages and ages.
17. Abyaneh, Isfahan Province
This next shot of me wandering through Abyaneh is completely cluttered, but I think that is why I like it so much!
18. Maranjab Desert, Isfahan Province
Feeding cookies to the cutest camel ever – true love right there!
19. Maranjab Desert, Isfahan Province
Another shot of camels in the Maranjab Desert – I love this one in particular because of how red the sand looked on this particular angle.
20. Maranjab Desert Sand Dunes, Isfahan Province
Quite possibly one of my favourite self timer selfies ever! Oh and the sand dunes aren’t half bad either 😉
21. Kashan Bazaar, Kashan
A humble bazaar, demonstrating that some of the most beautiful places are hidden where you least expect them.
22. Agha Bozorg Mosque, Kashan
Motorcycles in a mosque – now that is something you don’t see everyday!
23. Agha Bozorg Mosque, Kashan
Iran is all about angles.
24. Aran va Bidgol Mosque, Kashan
The most gorgeous kids excited about having their photo taken in Kashan.
25. Aran va Bidgol Mosque, Kashan
Last but not least, the most stunningly green mosque I have ever seen!
So there it is, the end of the Iran Series!
I am certainly sad to have finished this series of posts, and Iran has easily been one of the most exciting destinations I have ever written about.
Thank you to each and every person who followed along on this series, and an extra special thank you to everybody who commented, shared or bookmarked any of these posts – I appreciate it more than words can say!
Now, stay tuned for posts about the Maldives, Cambodia, Jordan, Egypt and more.
As always, happy solo travelling! xx
so beautiful –
Thank you so much <3
Love your blog posts Ellen, keep them coming! 🙂 Your photos are so gorgeous. I am convinced from your Iran series that this country definitely deserves a visit.
Awesome to hear it Pooja! I hope you do visit Iran 🙂 As for the blog posts – I am in a big swing of creativity and writing at the moment, so there won’t be any problems with providing a steady supply of new posts!
Wow, Iran looks amazing! Count me as one of those who put Iran on a bucket list.
YES! Awesome to hear 😀
These pictures are gorgeous! So exotic and wonderful – I hope that someday I have the opportunity to visit myself! I’ve loved following along on your adventures from Iran! Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Thanks so much Savannah! It has been wonderful to bring so many people along with me on my Iran journey!
You’ve convinced me with your stunning pics and posts! I’ll hang on for independent travel restrictions to be eased for Brits. Thank you for sharing. I’ve really enjoyed reading this Iran series.
Fingers crossed that happens sooner rather than later!
Wow – that looks like it is an incredible place to visit and very educational I am sure. Half of what I love about travel is learning about other cultures.
Absolutely! It is so exciting to experience how other people live 🙂
Just wonderful, thanks for taking us along on the journey.
As always Terry, it is my pleasure 🙂
Wow! These photos are amazing!
Thank you so much!
Hi Ellen. Truly stunning. ☺️
Thanks Graham, I love comments like that!
I’ve really enjoyed following your Iran series, it’s been a real eye-opener into that area of the world, which is sadly misunderstood by the media. (I studied the graphic novel Persepolis, and found that part of your series particularly interesting!) Hopefully one day the restrictions for Brits will be eased, and I’ll have the opportunity to visit this underrated gem.
I hope so too! You could still visit with a guided tour, but unfortunately these are very expensive 🙁
You have definitely inspired the next overseas trip for my partner and I! We were just starting to think about where to go when your posts from Iran starting popping up. I would never have imagined it as such a wonderful destination. Thank you for sharing!
Awesome! That is exactly what I wanted to achieve with all these Iran posts! When are you thinking of going?
We were thinking about late February but it will depend on how much leave we can get from work. But hopefully some time in the first half of next year! Your posts will definitely guide us in our planning.
Your photos are amazing! It puts Iran in my future places to visit.
Thank you so much, it really is an amazing country <3
Fantastic range of photos, Ellen. xx
Thank you so much! I love doing these little photo round ups 🙂
I love the Iran series and your site I use it as my travel inspiration
http://sheismelrose.net/
Thank you so much! Any plans to visit Iran?
Can’t wait to hear about your time in Jordan and Egypt! My partner and I are headed there this winter and are looking for some advice about the countries.
Awesome! Definitely stay tuned, Jordan posts are not far away 🙂
Love this post, and your blog, just soso much. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Thank you so much Becca, I love getting comments like this!
Reblogged this on Christine's Blog and commented:
I’ll probably never get to travel to Iran, but I’ve really enjoyed reading about it and seeing the gorgeous images on Ellen Burne’s travel blog. I just had to share!
Thanks so much Christine! I hope you DO make it to Iran yourself though 🙂
Honestly, you are such an amazing person, and what’s more better than traveling the world solo?! Eh. Great pictures and thank for sharing your thoughts on Iran.
Wow Benjamin, that is so bloody sweet. Thank you so much <3
I never realised that Iran was so beautiful! The architecture is amazing.
It is easily one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited in my life.
Reblogged this on Andy Joyce and commented:
Great photos and stories from a fellow Iranian traveller
Thanks so much! Spread the Iran love!
Beautiful Pics Sister 🙂 .. you have surely made others add Iran to their bucket list 🙂 … you should also visit saudi arabia once whenever you get a chance 🙂
It is definitely on my list! Just tough with the visa situation 🙁
ok whenever you get a chance :).. Anyway, Do you have any plans of visiting india ? 🙂
Went to Iran years ago to Mashad and Tehran.. the Pink Mosque in Shiraz is on my bucket list! Absolutely stunning.
Those are two cities I didn’t get to… just incentive for me to go back one day 🙂
Simply stunning! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much Belle, Iran is just amazing!
Great photos, Ellen! Your photos make us feel like we’re right there with you. I’m inspired to check it out someday.
Awesome, that is exactly the comment I was hoping to get! <3
Iran looks so beautiful. I think I’m going to add it to my travel list ;))
You definitely should! It is one of my favourite ever countries to travel in!
25? Just one was enough x
Wow thank you so much! <3
Hi Ellen,
Long time no chat 🙂
These photos are utterly spectacular. They make me want to board a plane this afternoon and disappear.
Thank you for giving me a brief glimpse into the world ahead of me
The only thing that I can say is Thank you because of all these nice photos.
May I ask which provinces did you visit?
Just finished reading ALL of your Iran blogs at one go! As an Iranian that has lived in Australia, New Zealand, UK and Canada for quite a while now, it was very interesting to read all your experience and opinions of the country.
Did you not have a chance to travel through the north, Alborz Mountains or the Kurdestan Area? If you like nature and landscape photography, those are the places to go!